Childminder in Liverpool

Inspection report for early years provision

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322177 Unique Reference Number 09 October 2007 Inspection date Michele Anne Villiers Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2000. She lives with her partner and their three children, one aged 12 and two who are adults, in a suburb of Liverpool. Two ground floor rooms in the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five. The childminder walks to local schools and places of interest. She holds a qualification in childcare and early years and has experience of working in a nursery setting.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Appropriate procedures are in place to help meet the children's health needs and protect them from cross infection. The home is suitably clean and written documentation is in place to protect children when they are ill or have accidents. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 through routines such as regular hand washing, with pictures above the basin as a gentle reminder. Individual hand towels are provided and the childminder uses good practice when changing nappies. For example, she wears protective gloves, uses liquid hand cleanser, and removes dummies from young children so they do not come into contact with the changing mat.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are suitably nourished and consideration is given to helping children to eat healthily. The childminder consults with parents about dietary requirements and children's preferences. There are leaflets on healthy eating options to share with parents. Drinks of juice are made freely available, but drinking water is not readily accessible to children in order to encourage healthy options.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical skills through a range of outdoor activities. Their strength, coordination and balance is fostered when playing on the swings, slide, trampoline and wheeled toys. Children frequently walk to the local park and nearby places of interest. There are suitable arrangements for rest and sleep according to the children's individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for and well protected in a secure, welcoming and safe home. All necessary steps are taken to help minimise hazards both within the home and outside. The available space is very child centred, with easy access to a wide range of safe and suitable toys. Child-size furniture enables children to sit in comfort.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about safety through play and organised activities. For example, they become aware of people who help us when playing with the hospital set, and dressing up as doctors, fire fighters and police. Children learn about road safety whilst on outings, and also re-enact how to safely cross the road with the lollipop person during play with the toy cars on the floor play roadmap. The childminder reminds toddlers the importance of tidying toys away, 'because we may trip over them and hurt ourselves'. She also demonstrates to children how to safely use scissors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection and has written documentation on file to share with parents. She has attended training in the past and is planning to access more training in the near future. However, her written policy has not been up dated to reflect the new legislation under the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children show interest and happily take part in a wide range of good quality activities and play. They excitedly explore various interactive and sensory toys. The childminder responds well to individual needs and children confidently initiate interaction. They show an interest in their environment and demonstrate good concentration during play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make good progress through a variety of learning experiences that foster their social, emotional and intellectual development. For example, during play with small world people they use their imagination to create a hospital setting. The childminder uses questioning, such as 'What has happened to this man in the wheelchair?', to encourage the children's language skills. New words are introduced, such as stethoscope and crutches. Children count how many

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 patients there are, and group them together. During art and craft they use a wide range of materials to create colourful collage pictures, such as wool, glitter, feathers and textured paper. They enjoy baking and reflect on past events, such as making Batman biscuits and using black icing sugar.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses planning well to provide interesting activities that link to the 'Birth to three matters' framework. The play room is effectively organised and offers a stimulating environment. Several colourful posters are displayed, along with the children's artwork and photographs of them playing. The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn. She uses the knowledge and skills she has acquired as a qualified childcare worker to promote the children's learning and welfare.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are settled and develop a good sense of belonging as the childminder is aware of their needs. They become aware of their culture and the wider world activities with the good range of toys and resources that reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disability. All children are respected as individuals and activities are not gender specific.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is very calm in her approach and uses good strategies to manage the children's behaviour. She constantly talks to children about being kind and uses books and stories to reinforce the children's understanding of sharing and caring. Children are polite and well behaved in a positive environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the close relationship the childminder has with parents. Written documentation pertaining to the childminder's provision, including her qualification certificates, are clearly displayed and parents freely access all written policies and procedures. The childminder completes daily diaries on babies, to share with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder holds an early years qualification and uses her skills to help children settle and progress in their development. She attends courses to keep up to date on childcare issues and regularly updates her first aid. She is enthusiastic and clearly enjoys her work.

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Organisation

Most regulatory documentation is in place and she has many well written policies and procedures for the effective management of her provisions. However, the childminder has failed to follow regulatory vetting procedures. Although she has notified Ofsted and the (CRB) Criminal Records Bureau of her son turning 16 years of age, she has not completed the relevant form in order to determine his suitability. Her son has been vetted and cleared through his employment, but this is not the appropriate Ofsted clearance. He is never left unsupervised with children.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection is was recommended that the provider devise a policy on reportable infectious diseases. The childminder has devised a written policy and procedure to follow, along with a list of infectious diseases, helping to protect children from illness.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • provide children with free access to fresh drinking water at all times • update the child protection policy to reflect the new legislation regarding safeguarding children • ensure appropriate vetting procedures are followed when any changes take place within the home.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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